Human Resources Specialists vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn $38,330 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 110.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Human Resources Specialists earns $126,540 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$126,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Specialists | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $45,440 | $25,600 | +$19,840 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,870 | $29,140 | +$26,730 |
| Median (50th) | $72,910 | $34,580 | +$38,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $97,270 | $37,850 | +$59,420 |
| 90th Percentile | $126,540 | $47,930 | +$78,610 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,730 | $37,150 | +$42,580 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Human Resources Specialists or Retail Salespersons?
Human Resources Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,330 (110.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Human Resources Specialists and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Human Resources Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Specialists has a median salary of $72,910 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS